Chapter Text
Duty
What is duty? In general terms, a duty is a commitment or expectation to perform some action in general or if certain circumstances occur. Duties are responsibilities that people must fulfill.
For you, although duty was once something you lived for, it was your reason for existing. Precisely when you realized this, you began to stop seeing duty as something normal and necessary, replacing it with a harmful obligation, as if it were chains surrounding your entire body. Every time you wanted to feel good, every time you started to drift away, they tightened, dragging you back into what you began to see as a prison; especially when it denied you what you most wanted.
You were a guardian of the cards created by the great wizard Clow; you were also one of his creations, with whom you also shared a duty. One was Kerberos, representing the Sun; the other was Yue, representing the Moon; and you, representing the combination of the two: The Sunset. You stood in the middle of the two. In the Book of Clow, if it was sealed, on the spine there would be two jewels at either end that would represent you, just as Kerberos was on the front cover and Yue on the back.
Before, at the beginning of your creation, it was fun. Protecting, listening, learning. Clow wasn't a bad creator or a bad master. In fact, more than a master, he treated you with the kindness of a friend or family member; sometimes you were surprised by the carefree personality he tended to display toward you.
Having such a powerful wizard, there really wasn't much to do in protecting him. It's not like he had many enemies, either. So the days were so peaceful that they bordered on monotony. For these reasons, you, the guardians, found ways to entertain yourselves. Kerberos simply pretending to be a taster in the kitchen, which meant that most of the time it was just Yue and you.
Walks, reading together, playing cards, sharing tea, even sometimes going out to fly in the sky, whether day or night; it began to be something common between the two of you that became part of your routine. So it wasn't unusual to see you together all day. If they were looking for one, he was probably with the other.
You pointed to this mutual attachment, having been created at the same time; you were together from the beginning. But this connection wasn't the same with Kerberos, with whom you even shared jokes; it was a different bond.
You two knew that.
You didn't need to talk about it, even though it confused you. The shared glances and the way you sought each other's touch began to speak volumes.
It was another of the many walks they took through the gardens by moonlight. The weather was cool, and you could even feel a light breeze that made the atmosphere more tranquil. The night carried a scent of wet earth that brought them calm.
Yue, with his elegant serenity, seemed distant, and you knew that even if you said a word, he would still be paying attention to you. Although recently, you noticed him a little more in his thoughts.
Your eyes couldn't tear away. From a sideways glance, you saw how the moonlight caressed his hair, making his silver strands seem to shine; or the soft movement of the fabric of his clothes as he walked.
A sudden gust of wind played with his hair. Without even thinking about it first, as if it were something as natural as breathing, you reached out to brush those strands out of his sight and tuck them behind his ear, drawing your attention to the silver earring perched in it. Yue looked at you, surprised by your expression, which slightly abandoned its normally serene demeanor, and you finally realized what you had done, feeling the unexpected warmth settle on your cheeks. It wasn't the cold of the night that caused that reaction; it was something deeper, making your heart pound in your chest. You were even a little afraid he might hear it.
He spoke your name, his voice lowering, as if afraid of breaking the stillness of that moment.
And you, not wanting to break the magic, moved a little closer, shortening the distance that until now seemed natural to maintain between you. It was then that he slowly raised his hand until his fingertips touched yours. With that simple act, you felt your chest tighten and a sweet warmth flood your being. Yue didn't withdraw his hand; on the contrary, he began to gently intertwine it with yours, with a tenderness that left you breathless. For the first time, you felt that you weren't just a companion on a mission or a guardian with whom he shared a heavenly position, but someone special to him.
You looked at Yue and noticed how his eyes reflected the same suppressed emotion you felt, that intense heartbeat, that pulse that broke the calm with a silent promise.
You couldn't help but think about how your hand fit so well in his.
There were no words, just a silent connection between two souls who were beginning to discover that duty and destiny couldn't be the only forces that united them. For a moment, everything else disappeared: the people, the duty, the rules. There was only the two of you, the joining of your hands, and that shared heartbeat that announced something greater was blossoming.
"I..." he had said after a while, but the honesty, almost innocent and inexperienced, in his voice was noticeable. "I've never felt anything like this..."
"Me neither," you replied, your voice slightly trembling, trying to control the fire burning inside you.
He looked back at you, before, with your hands still joined, gently tugged on yours as his beautiful wings reappeared with a slight burst of light; a silent invitation. You nodded with a light laugh as your own wings appeared on your back. With a gentle flap of your wings, the two of you soared through the skies with a pleasant calm. In no time, your hands separated, you could even say, they even held a little tighter.
═══════ ≫ ☾ ≪ ════════
Clow, always patient and wise, had dedicated countless hours to teaching you and Yue not only commands and other duties, but also such mundane yet beautiful things: music and dance. It was strange for you, guardians accustomed to the solemnity of duty, but Clow firmly believed that the heart should also be nourished by joy and rhythm, that balance was achieved not only with power and discipline, but with lightness of movement and melody.
One of those evenings, after Clow had retired to his studies and Kerberos had decided it was time for his own snack, you were left alone with Yue in the parlor bathed in the soft light of dusk. Even with its orange and purple hues, you could see the moon beginning to rise. The atmosphere was tranquil, almost—ironically—magical, and for a moment the world seemed to stop for the two of you.
You glanced at Yue, before looking at the still-playing phonograph. Your half-bare feet echoed lightly on the living room tiles. You reached out for him with a smile.
"Do you want to try dancing with me?" you asked, trying your best to hide the mixture of nerves and curiosity you felt.
Yue looked at you, surprised, but let out a sigh that could almost be mistaken for a laugh, but the small smile he rarely showed gave the answer. It was the kind of smile that also revealed a small child hidden behind his imperturbable image.
"I'd love to," he replied softly.
His hand reached up to meet yours, before taking your other hand, which he found halfway. Together, you began to move to the gentle rhythm of the music Clow had left on the old phonograph, classical notes that seemed to float like a caress.
At first, your steps were unsteady, clumsy, as if trying to remember a forgotten language. But little by little, trust grew, and the synchronicity between you became natural, as if your bodies remembered the harmony your souls felt.
You felt his gaze soften as it met yours, as he lost himself in the music and in you. And you, in turn, allowed the rigidity of duty to dissipate again, making room for the pure joy of that moment. There was a moment when you slowly stopped, where you moved a little closer to him, and Yue allowed it, letting the beat of his heart keep time with yours.
"I never imagined dancing could be so liberating," he whispered with a mixture of wonder and tenderness. His cheek rested on the crown of your head.
"Clow says magic isn't just in spells, but also in moments that fill the soul," you replied, feeling a smile spread across your face.
Yue nodded, and gently took your face in his hands, as if he wanted to record that moment forever. "Thank you for sharing this with me," he said, saying your name with a restrained emotion that transcended all barriers.
The two of you continued dancing, unhurried, wordless, simply feeling that, in that simple action, they had found a refuge and a bond that not even fate could break. Right?
═══════ ≫ ☾ ≪ ════════
Moments like these left you thinking the longest, just as your gaze lingered on his silhouette. Every time you shared another moment, either in a low voice or alone together, even when accompanied by Kerberos, even he noticed the atmosphere between the two of you. It was a surprise that he never commented on anything, as he always tended to make a comment about everything.
And even without you noticing, Clow smiled more often when he saw the two of you from afar, whether in their usual reading spot in the garden, where they sometimes took naps, or from the mansion's windows. It was pleasant to see his beloved creations experimenting with something so new. He almost laughed when he saw Yue give you a pretty daisy; rather than accepting it in your hand, he arranged to put it in your hair, which made you extend the soft smile you had.
The night was peaceful. They strolled together under the starry blanket, the fresh air brushing your skin and the feathers of your wings, the wind whispering through the trees, the two of them enraptured in a brief, childlike moment as they chased each other through the forest, letting the weight of their responsibilities fade for a moment.
Every time the two of them shared a glance, only the intrusive thought of a single question reached you: How can you say something that's never been said before? Their eyes, as they connected, shone with that sparkle that only the moon could reflect.
Finally, Yue stopped on one of the tree branches, where you quickly perched beside him, closer to the trunk. Again, there was that look when he said your name so softly, as if it were precious, causing you to blush involuntarily and lose yourself in his eyes. You didn't know how to respond, not because you didn't feel it, but because in this world of new and forbidden feelings, it was unfamiliar territory for both of you.
However, your heart prevailed over reason. He took a step closer, and his eyes lowered a little beyond your own. Your breath hitched as he extended a hand, which hesitated for a second before brushing against your cheek. There was no rush, no certainties, only a pure and sincere desire; almost innocent. You approached too, your hands seeking his waist, and that slight trembling you felt in your body was a reflection of what he felt.
He leaned in slightly, stopping almost a whisper from you; He waited a moment, just waiting as if you were going to change your mind, but with a slight nod from you, he made all the distance disappear in a small touch of his lips against yours. You looked at each other again, before melting once more in a soft, clumsy kiss, like two souls discovering each other for the first time. It wasn't perfect or passionate, but full of sweetness and the innocence of everything that was being born. The seconds lengthened and the magic of that contact vibrated in the air, between stifled sighs and hearts that beat strongly.
"I never imagined... this could be like this," you murmured as you pulled away slightly, your forehead resting against his.
Yue smiled, a mixture of relief and tenderness in his gaze. "Me neither. But with you, I feel like I can be more..."
At that moment, beneath the moon that silently watched over them, you knew that although your path would be marked by duties, there could also be room for something beautiful.
After that, you could see how something slow, but comforting, continued to grow between you. After all the years you'd been together, this was new, but it wasn't something you two feared now. You were honest in your actions and in your whispered words at all hours of the day.
You were happy with it. You hoped Yue was too. And... If at some point this thing you had continued to grow, the rest of your loved ones—Clow and Kerberos—would also happily accept it.
═══════ ≫ ☾ ≪ ════════
The evening light filtered faintly through the large windows of Clow's study, bathing the place in a warm, golden hue. On a rug in front of his chair, seated opposite the great mage, were the three of you, the guardians: Kerberos with his imposing yet kind demeanor, Yue with his calm and serene gaze, and you with your characteristic blend of youth and wisdom.
Clow, with that serene smile that always conveyed calm, sat opposite you, his eyes shining in the light of experience and the deep responsibility that weighed on his shoulders.
“Today I want to speak with you,” he began, his voice soft but firm, “about something that goes beyond spells and power. I want you to understand the weight and honor of being guardians of the Clow Cards.”
Kerberos tilted his head slightly, while Yue and you looked at each other, aware of your master’s serious tone.
“You are the barrier between the world’s balance and chaos,” he continued. “It is not a simple duty, nor one to be taken lightly. Each card you hold is not only a manifestation of power, but also a fragment of the creator’s very soul. Therefore, keeping them safe means protecting that legacy.”
You felt a lump in your throat, as if you could, for the first time, fully grasp the magnitude of his trust in you.
“But there is something more,” Clow said, his gaze fixed on Yue and you. “I have seen an internal struggle that goes beyond duty.”
The silver-haired man lowered his gaze, his sigh barely audible. It wasn't easy to carry the weight of duty alongside the whirlwind of emotions he felt for you. He knew any distraction could jeopardize what you two swore to protect. What you were created for, what you were practically born to be.
Is it possible to love and protect at the same time? he wondered silently, with a hint of vulnerability in his eyes that he rarely showed.
Clow, almost as if he could read him, smiled with understanding. He looked toward the window where the sun was still setting.
"Love is a powerful force, and it should not be feared. But it must be channeled wisely," he began, to the surprise of the guardian represented by the moon. "Guardians must be strong, not only in power, but in heart and mind. If their feelings begin to cloud their judgment, then they must seek balance, because the responsibility they have is greater than themselves."
Kerberos grunted softly, as if affirming the mage's words. Unaware that a new fog was beginning to form between Yue and you.
"You have a vital role," Clow continued. "Your commitment to protecting the cards is so important. I know emotional ties can be complicated. It's not about giving them up, but learning to integrate them without losing focus."
You felt your chest tighten. There was fear, yes, but also hope. The hope that perhaps, despite everything, a way could be found to love and protect at the same time.
Clow stood up and approached where his gaze was fixed; the sky was darker now, filling the room with slightly more shadows.
"When I'm gone, and the Clow Cards have a new owner, it will be up to you to maintain that balance. And not just to protect the cards, but to protect what they represent."
He looked back at you, the last rays of light projecting across his face, with a warm and reassuring smile.
"I trust you."
The silence that followed was laden with meaning. Yue and you exchanged a look that spoke volumes. You both knew it was a warning, a blessing, and a burden all at the same time. In that instant, you felt that your feelings for Yue, though beautiful, innocent, and sincere, must learn to coexist with the responsibility that bound you. And, at the same time, you notice that, like Yue, he, with his calm and sadness, also struggled to find that balance in his heart.
Kerberos settled beside you, silently watching the interaction, as if to remind you that you weren't alone in this task.
Because protecting the Clow Cards wasn't just a duty. It was a destiny that would unite you forever, one way or another.
═══════ ≫ ☾ ≪ ════════
After that conversation with Clow, you noticed how it affected them. Unfortunately, for the worse. Yue began to distance himself, wanting to be alone more than usual; not that you were someone who wanted to be by his side twenty-four hours a day, since both you and he sometimes enjoyed the distance and solitude to think. You decided to give him the space he was looking for, so these days you'd spent more time alone or with Kerberos.
You took advantage of these moments alone to think more about yourself. Clow's words resonated with you more than you'd thought. Before, you didn't think he could disappear, but after a while, you realized the truth that Clow, no matter how powerful he was, was still human. Even if it wasn't because his magic ran out, time never stopped for anyone. The Clow Cards would belong to someone else, and it would simply become a cycle.
None of the three of you, the guardians, were very happy with the idea of someone else being your master. Clow was your creator, someone who treated you with the utmost kindness and patience possible. Even in things as mundane as teaching you literature and the music he grew up with. Yue easily refused. Clow decided that he would judge the new master, while Kerberos would decide what he would be like. You would only be a mediator. But Clow's decision was made; there was no room for complaints.
Thinking about it made you feel trapped—in duty, responsibilities, expectations; you felt that no matter how hard you tried to give meaning and space to what you felt, it was something unnecessary.
Was it really possible to carry both?
You wanted to believe it was.
But it was proving difficult. Especially when, with each passing day, the distance between you and Yue, rather than closing, only seemed to continue expanding. That only scared you more every time he looked at you... Instead of meeting the tenderness you were used to, you only saw a great sadness in his eyes. One that was beginning to reflect in your gaze.
═══════ ≫ ☾ ≪ ════════
The night was silent in the gardens of the Clow residence. The stars shone with a clarity that almost seemed cruel, as if mocking the hearts that beat there. You walked slowly across the cold marble, your steps muffled by the distant murmur of the fountain.
Yue was there too, waiting for you on the other side of the fountain, turning to look at you the moment he felt your presence. It wasn't difficult for him to always find and sense you. His silver hair swaying in the breeze next to his white robes.
When their gazes met, your heart felt that familiar thump, that pang that always came with it... But this time it wasn't gentle.
"You arrived," he said, his voice soft, but more tense than usual.
You swallowed, knowing that tone boded ill. But you tried to remain as calm as possible, attempting to plaster on a smile that didn't reach your eyes.
"You said you needed to talk."
He moved away slightly, staring at the horizon, as if he found it difficult to face her directly. "I don't know if..." he even doubted his own words. "... We can continue like this." Those words were like an invisible blow to the chest.
"What do you mean?" you asked, although you already knew what he was talking about.
Yue sighed deeply, and his wings slowly shrank, as if gravity had reached them too.
“It’s not that I’ve stopped… feeling what I feel for you,” he clarified, balling his hands into fists. “On the contrary. It’s because I feel it too much. And that’s why… it’s causing me to fail.”
“Fail?” you repeated, taking a step toward him.
“Fail Clow. Fail as a Guardian… Fail you.” His voice trembled slightly, though he tried to hide it. “We’re supposed to always be ready, always focused. But when you’re around…” His eyes narrowed slightly into yours. “When you look at me like that… I can’t think straight. And I can’t allow that to jeopardize our duty. Especially with what the future holds.”
The silence that followed was unbearable. You wanted to tell him that both could find a balance, that both could learn... But the words stuck. Because, deep down, you knew he was right. It was the first time you'd ever loved; neither both of you knew how to sustain all that love without letting the rest fall apart.
"I..." you began with a slight stutter. "I don't know how to do it either," you admitted in a faint voice. "I thought it was enough to love. That if we loved each other enough... In time, everything else would fall into place."
Yue closed his eyes, as if your words were a heavier weight on his heart. "I believed it too. But every time I see you hurt, or tired, or when you're far away... I become someone who knows nothing but needing you. And that..." her eyes opened, shining in the moonlight. "That scares me."
You felt the air escape from your lungs. And yet, you moved forward until you were standing in front of him, barely a breath away.
"I don't want to lose you," you said, tears beginning to gather on your eyelashes.
Yue looked at you as if he wanted to memorize every detail of your face, a great pain gripping his heart, not wanting to be the reason for the sadness you were beginning to feel. "I don't want you to lose me... But I'm more afraid of losing ourselves."
His arms wrapped around you gently. It was light at first, but the moment, along with the feelings, settled, and he held you even more gently. The hug was so strong it hurt, not physically, but in a much more heartbreaking way; but you held on as if the world depended on it, because it felt that way. Neither of you spoke. The sound of your ragged breaths was the only thing that filled the silence.
Yue pulled away slightly, the two of you staring into each other's eyes with sorrow and pain. He leaned his face in and kissed you. He kissed you desperately, deeply, as if trying to imprint on your skin what he couldn't say. A kiss that tasted of love, of pain, and of goodbye. It felt like it was breaking you from the inside, like you were taking pieces of each other away in that instant... And yet neither of you wanted to let go before your time.
When you finally broke apart, your foreheads were pressed together. Neither of you could look at each other without tears threatening to fall.
"I love you," you whispered.
"And I love you," he replied, leaning against you for a moment longer. "Forever... Even if we can't go on."
You slowly separated, as if tearing yourself away from that contact was the hardest thing you'd ever done. Yue took a step back, his wings unfurling again in the moonlight, and he turned around before you could see that... He was crying too.
That night, two hearts that loved each other like never before learned what it meant to break without ceasing to love. Learning to love also meant learning to feel pain at some point; it was part of growing up.
You looked at the moon, which only caused you more pain.
You walked aimlessly. You could have flown, but now your wings felt heavy, though not as heavy as your chest. Unknowingly, you had arrived at the same tree where everyone usually took a nap; you sat down with your back against the trunk, slowly bringing your knees up to your chest, your wings surrounding you like a gentle embrace. Your gaze remained lost, your eyes shining with a sadness you couldn't hide.
The weight of Yue's words remained stuck in your chest like a thorn. His voice, though cold, was marked by a hesitation, which you also noticed in the way he hugged you, putting an end to what was just beginning. Not because he wanted to, but because you shouldn't. Because your duty as guardian was greater than your shared feelings. And you couldn't contradict him.
You didn't hear the slow footsteps or the rustling of fabric as a tall shadow leaned down beside you, softly calling your name, Clow's voice filling the space.
You lifted your gaze slightly, and as soon as your eyes met his, the wall you were trying to maintain crumbled. He said nothing at first, just sat down next to you and, with a gentle gesture, let your head rest on his lap, as if you were something precious he couldn't risk breaking.
You were his beloved creation, after all.
"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to," he whispered, running his hand through your hair with the calm of someone who knows every strand, every tremor. "The decisions we make aren't always the ones we want... Or the ones that make us happy."
Your breathing became heavier, and you pressed your lips together to keep from letting out a sound. "But... it hurts," you finally murmured, quietly, as if you were afraid that admitting it would make it real. It was new to you; you didn't know how to deal with that pain.
"The pain... it's a reminder that you still feel, and that you still care." He leaned in slightly, letting his voice fall into a murmur that brushed against your ear as he spoke your name again. "It's not a bad thing. The bad thing would be not feeling anything, my dear."
His fingers continued their leisurely run through your hair, and his gaze deepened, more distant, as if he were seeing something that didn't yet exist.
"You were born with a purpose," he continued, with that slow cadence he used when he wanted you to pay attention, "but also with a desire. It's not common for the two to coexist, and when they do, they're rarely at peace."
You frowned gently, not fully understanding what he meant. "What if I can never have what I want?" you asked with a mixture of resignation and fear, like someone who had no experience.
Clow smiled faintly, but it was a different smile: patient, almost melancholic.
"Then maybe... We should give life another chance." His words were cryptic, almost like a riddle, but there was such a sure tone to them that you felt for a moment you weren't so lost.
"I don't understand."
He laughed softly, like a parent guarding a secret too big to reveal before its time: "You don't need to understand it now. Just remember this: freedom isn't always found by breaking chains... sometimes, it's found by starting over."
His hands continued to hold you firmly, and though you didn't fully grasp the meaning, a part of you felt his words weren't empty comfort.
There was something else. Something he didn't say, but left hanging in the air with a promise.
"Everything will be alright."
You soon began to feel sleepy, and Clow assured you that this time, he would be the one to take care of you. You were his beloved creation, along with the rest, so how could he not look out for your happiness when you and the rest were looking out for his own?
Clow already knew many things about the future. He looked at your sleeping form, brushing your hair so it wouldn't get in your face. Yes, he knew.
There are no coincidences in this world, only the inevitable.
═══════ ≫ ☾ ≪ ════════
After that moment of comfort with Clow, you were able to calm down a little more. Yue and you avoided each other now, but you could feel his gaze sometimes following you or hovering over you from a distance.
You felt it was for the best; otherwise, the pain would only be greater. With Clow's end slowly approaching, things between everyone were tense.
Duty came knocking at your door again every time you thought about that responsibility. Sometimes you stared out the window, feeling... trapped. Suffocated by expectations.
You tried not to let it show. You also avoided looking at Clow much, either because of the pain of losing your creator and owner, or because he would know your doubts just by looking into your eyes. He is the one who knows you best, after all.
You wanted to put those feelings aside, but they only seemed to come back stronger.
Why were you bound to this without any choice?
Were you created only for this?
Was there something more out there for you?
Could you have it?
Over time, you realized that all these doubts affected you. Physically.
Your magic began to fade.
More than fading, it began to return to where it came from: to Clow. But not because he wanted it to; you simply unconsciously began to reject him. You felt weaker. Sleepier. You couldn't even take flight or keep your wings with you at all times.
But somehow, deep inside, you weren't scared. Or angry. It was something more, like liberation.
Kerberos and Yue were obviously worried, and they quickly conveyed these concerns to Clow, but he, as always, remained calm. Unfortunately, he only confirmed their worries: Their beloved companion as guardians... In time, she would no longer be with them.
When Clow and you spoke face-to-face again, you felt no hesitation; it had already been decided since you couldn't fly.
“You’ve started to reject who you are, my dear,” Clow commented without looking at you, but he wasn’t angry; there was more acceptance in his voice than before when he spoke to Yue and Kerberos. “You guardians were meant to be eternal alongside the Clow Cards. But… I suppose you don’t want that anymore.” He turned to you, giving you that smile that warmed your chest with comfort. “And that’s okay.”
It was okay.
Because what kind of creator would he be if he selfishly gave you back the magic you were missing, only to condemn you to an unhappy eternity? You seemed so calm about this, that he was sure of his decision.
"People come and go, along with their loved ones." He looked back out the window, straight at the tree where you'd found comfort nights ago. "Change is natural in life, just like the seasons. Change is necessary. And if you want that change... That's okay."
When he looked at you again, he extended his arms in invitation. You approached him before he wrapped his arms around you in a loving embrace. It felt like a warm farewell. His robes surrounded and covered you like a shield.
Clow loved his creations, which is why he always looked out for their happiness.
Time continued to pass, as no one would be able to escape this for long. The magic continued to leave you, and you accepted it. You spent more time with Kerberos, who even shared his snacks with you, despite being a glutton, or let you lie on his side for a nap. Yue only kept his distance, but he was a silent caretaker who kept an eye on you.
But he never came close to speak. He knew he couldn't bear to feel you in such a vulnerable state, like your presence was slowly disappearing. He felt that if he came closer, it would be too late. Especially since he was the one who ended what you had started.
That didn't stop him from caring for you and worrying; the feelings hadn't disappeared. It seemed that with this situation, they only became more entrenched.
Dusk had barely touched the horizon when you knew the moment had arrived, on one of the last days of autumn. There was no sound to announce it, no visible wound to confirm it; you simply felt it, as if something inside you had silently extinguished. Your magic, that current that had been the source of your being for as long as you could remember, was at its lowest point. Before, it spilled like water through his fingers, there was no way to contain it; now only drops remained.
The air was still. The garden, the same one where you had spoken so often with Yue, shared vigils with Kerberos, and acquaintance with Clow, seemed suspended in an eternal second; now the tree where you used to rest had no leaves left from the passing of the season. The sky was beginning to darken, reflecting how you yourself were beginning to fall.
Kerberos was the first to appear, his figure on all fours approaching you while his golden gaze vibrated with a restlessness he could barely conceal.
“Your energy…” His voice sounded muffled, something that rarely happened with him. His footsteps circled around you before he lay down beside you, offering his side as your support. A reminder that he was here for you. “It’s disappearing.”
You said nothing. You just gave him a small, tired smile.
The beating of wings echoed beside you, and you didn’t need to turn around to know it was Yue. His presence immediately enveloped you, cold as moonlight, intense as ever.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice strained like a thread about to snap. He’d probably sensed it. The flicker of your presence was so small it now seemed imperceptible.
“I think…” You took a deep breath, feeling the slight trembling of your hands, “my time is up.”
Yue took a step toward you, her eyes flashing with a dangerous glint. “Don’t say that. You can’t just… disappear.”
Kerberos, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes, even the claws of his paws digging into the earth, his own way of clenching his fists. Though he wanted to intervene, he understood what you were saying. He saw it in the way the light that always surrounded you faded and how your figure seemed less solid with each passing second.
"It's not something I can avoid," you whispered, looking up at the sky. The golden breeze brushed your face, soft, like a farewell. "But it's okay."
"Is it okay?" Yue's voice broke for the first time as he repeated your words. "How can it be okay?"
You turned to him, and in that instant you knew you wanted to engrave every line of his face, every shadow of his eyes, into your memory: "Because... This is freedom for me."
Yue frowned, not understanding, while Kerberos tilted his head, confused, but didn't ask.
“We’ve always lived for someone else,” you continued. “For Clow, for our duty, to protect someone else. We’ve never had anything that was ours alone… We’ve never truly been free.” Your words were gentle, but each one held weight. “If this is the end for me… then I finally belong to myself.”
Silence fell between the three of you, broken by the whisper of your own strength dissipating. Yue took a step closer, and his hands, cold and elegant, held yours with a desperate firmness.
“I won’t let you go.” It was an impossible promise, and you knew it. Even something inside him knew it.
“Yes, you will.” You smiled tenderly. “Because you are Yue, and even if you deny it, you understand what it means to do your duty… Even when it hurts.”
Kerberos, with his golden eyes, always so bright, were now opaque. “If you’re going to leave…” he murmured, “at least don’t do it alone.”
"Yue..." you called softly, a smile that didn't immediately reach your tired eyes. He immediately turned his full attention to you. "Hug me."
He didn't even need that request to hold you against his chest. The cold of his skin contrasted with the warmth that still remained in you, a warmth you knew would soon fade; and he could only watch helplessly.
"Remember," you whispered, your voice barely audible, "this isn't a sad goodbye... not for me."
Yue lowered his head, letting his silver hair brush against your forehead. He didn't say anything. Perhaps because there weren't enough words for that moment. Perhaps because it was already too late.
"Thank you," you said with a big smile, using the last bit of energy you had left, "...for everything we were." Your eyes closed slowly, and the last image you saw was the sky shed its last rays of light and Yue's face looking at you as if she wanted to stop the sunset that reflected your own departure.
Even though you were half of each of us, today you left like the sun. There was no blood. There was no pain. Only one last exhalation, and your body became light, dissolving into a turquoise swirl that, thanks to the lack of sufficient rays of light, was reflected on the faces of the two guardians. The breeze carried away your last traces, as if you had never been there... Except in the memory of the two companions who held you and were by your side until the end.
Yue remained motionless long after the light disappeared, his hands empty and his eyes fixed on the place where you had been. Kerberos lowered his head, unable to speak.
The wind blew again, gently, but for them, the world had stopped.
Clow looked out from the window in his study before noticing how the jewels that once decorated the edges of the spine of the Clow Cards disappeared into the same turquoise hue as your body, leaving only an empty space within them. It was a shame for him to see his beautiful creations, which they felt so strongly about, suffer. But no one knew that his magic was working silently, weaving a new destiny. Preparing for the day when you could open your eyes again, not as a guardian, but as someone free to love again.
He chuckled softly as these trails approached his face, like a final farewell before disappearing into thin air.
After all, there are not coincidences, only the inevitable.